Machine for compression of gases, vapors, and liquids



A. C. LAYTON July 21, 1953 MACHINE FOR COMPRESSION OF GASES, VAPORS, AND LIQUIDS Filed Aug. 27. 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 SECTION D-D INVENTOR ARTHUR C. LAYTON ATTORNEY$ A. c. LAYTON July 21, 1953 MACHINE FOR COMPRESSION OF GASES, VAPORS, AND LIQUIDS Filed Aug. 27. 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VENTOR ARTHUR C, LAYTON ATTORNEYS sleeve which .forms .drivingflmeans tor the p,

Patented July 21, 1 953 OFFICE MACHINE- FoR COMPRESSION or GASES, vAeous, AND LIQUIDS I 'Arthur C. Layton, Tyler, Tex. Application August27, 1951, Serial No. 243,809 a This inventionconsistsof a machine tor the compression of gases vapors, and liquids. It is especially designed as'a modification of my pending application Serial No. 235,040 for a machine for the compression of more or less dense gases. and vapors. The present invention is modified to. permit compression of lighter, or less-dense eclaims. (01, 230-108) gases than the former. It is also designed for a use as a large capacity; machine. 7

One object of the invention is. to provide a machine for-the compression of light gases and. vapors by simple means.

Another object is to provide means for compression of gases and vapors to higher pressures than can be obtained by the machine described in Serial No. 235,040. An important object is to provide automatic, self-priming, means for the machine described in my aforesaid pending application. 7

One of the most'important'objects is to provide means for cooling the compressor from x- I ternalcoolingsources. I l

-,A preferred form of the invention is shown on the 'attacheddrawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a vertical section taken along the central'axis of my machine;

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional View in which the upper right hand quadrant shows asectiontaken along the lines A-A in Figure 1 the upper left'hand quadrantv shows a section view along 'the'line 'B-B of Figure .1; the lower left hand quadrant shows a section view along the .line C'C of; Figure 1 and the lower right hand quadrant shows a'section view along the line D'-D of Figure 1 Figure 3 shows a, plan viewfof thepriming pump contained in thelower section of the compressor;i 1 v Figure 4 shows an elevation .of the pump shown in F e 3, wit a portion en awa to show a partial cross-sectiontaken in the plane of Figure 1. Figure 5 shows an elevation of the rotating.

ing pump, with a portion broken away to sh apartial ioross-section taken in the pi s r 7 Figure 1,

Fi u 6 s w n, eleva onf he prote ting. sleeve, dispersion ring, and ,inclosure ,for (the rotating sleeve shown Figure and the prim: s pump shown in Fi u e 4,,wi'thla portion formed substantially the same as I21 lhe lower half of the body II is formed with a pocket or sump [4 which projects axially-down from the body. The top of the sump is formed with a pluabout the top of the sump and communicating Figure 8 shows an elevation of the central pipe and supporting means for the rotating sleeve and priming pump removed from the compressor; and

Figure 9 shows a modification of the invention to utilize external cooling means.

The invention consists ofa cylindrical body .I I comprising an upper and a lower half, the two halves being fastened together to form a hermetically sealed vessel. Communicating pipes [2, herein referred to as the suction pipe, and I3 (shown by dotted lines herein referred to as the discharge or hot gas line; are secured to the body H, and connect to the evaporator and condenser, respectively, The discharge pipe I 3 is rality of axially disposed ports I5 spaced radially with the interior of the body H. l V

A vertical pipe [,6 is disposed co-axially of the body H, communicates at its upper end with the suction pipe, and is connected at its lower end I to the sump It by means of a central opening 3"! in the top of the sump. This pipe lt'is formed with a partition l1 located at its approximate mid-section, which divides the pipe into an upper chamber I 8 and lower chamber 19. The upper end of the pipe I6 is secured to the body H by 3 means of a locking nut 20 fitted into an annular recess near its top. The connection .between'the body H and the pipe 16 is hermetically sealed by 1 means of the gasket 2| disposed axially between the nut 20 and the body I l. The pipe [6 is formed with a horizontal exterior groove encircling it at the portion containing the partition i'l, midway between the chambers l8 and I9, and form-. ing a space 23around the circumference of the pipe [6.] This pipe is formed with a plurality of radially disposed ports 22 located at the extreme lower end of the chamber I8 and leading .to the space 23,- and a corresponding group of b oke aw -to ow pa t a c os +scction taken radially disposed ports located in the upper section of the chamber 19, also leading to the space 23 and designed to receive the nozzles 24.

I A check valve 25 is located at the extreme upper end of the chamber l8 in an enlarged section of the pipe [6, This check valve comprises u per and lower guides 51, 58, respectively, and

a movable disc 59 formed one rod 60 inserted bethe check valve 2 5 forms locking means for se curing the check valve in position. A gasket 26 between the upper guide and the shoulder formed in the pipe |6 hermetically seals the chamber l8 when the check valve is in the closed position.

An elongated sleeve 21 surrounds the upper section of the pipe l6, forms a bearing surface with it, and is free to rotate about it. Upward axial movement of the sleeve 2'! is prevented by a shoulder 28 formed in the upper section of the body The lower end of the sleeve 21 projects downwardly,'incloses a portion of the space 23 formed by the groove in the pipe I6, and carries a radially extended flange 29. This flange 29 is securely fastened to and supports a disc 36, which therefore rotates with the sleeve Another sleeve 3|, formed substantially the same as the sleeve 27 except that the flanged portion is located at its upper end, encircles, the lower part of the pipe H5. The flanged end of the sleeve 3! extends upwardly to the space 23, and is securely fastened to and supports the disc 32, the sleeve and disc being free to rotate about the pipe 6. The discs 35 and 32 aredisposed radially of the pipe l6, encircle portions of the space 23, and are axially opposed.

A plurality of curved elements 33 are regularly spaced between the discs 3|] and 32, said elements extending radially, and curving tangentially, to the periphery of thedis'cs 3e and 32, the elements being secured between and to the discs by any convenient means, and forming therewith a plurality of elongated ports 34 constituting communicating means between the space 23 and the interior of the body H. The assembly, consisting of 'the sleeves 2'! and 3|, the discs 39 and 32, and theelements 33, is thus free to rotate as a unit about the pipe IS, the pipe forming a bearing surface and supporting means for the assembly.

The armature, or rotor 35 of an electric motor, is formed as a ring secured to the sleeve 2! and disposed concentrically therewith and is located axially betweenrthe flange 29 and the shoulder 28, the rotor thus forming a part of the assembly as outlined above.

A ring 36 rotatably encircles the lower end of the pipe IS. The pipe forms a bearing surface for the ring 33, which is disposed axially between the lower end of the sleeve 3| and a shoulder 46 formed in the upper" wall. of the sump l4 surrounding the central opening 31 of the sump l4. The ring 36 is provided with a plurality of radially projecting arms 38 which are a propeller. The ring 36 is provided'withfsere rations 39 formed radially on its'uppersurface which engage with corresponding serrations 39a formed radially on the lower end of the sleeve 7 3| so that the sleeve 3| may be moved upwardly without removing the ring 35, but may not be" rotated unless the ring 36 rotates with it The ring 33 thus forms a part of the rotatable ascend bly and serves as a supporting means to prevent axial movement downwardly of the assembly,f with its lowerface forming a bearing surface with the body H at the shoulder '40 surrounding the central opening 31 of the sump |4.

A diverter ring 4| carrying an outer flange 42 encircles the discs 36 and 32. Immediately therebelow a guide ring 44 in the shape of acen terless bowl carries a corresponding outer flange 45 which registers with the flange 42 of the i rin 4|. The body H is formed in'uppe r and"; lower halves and the interior sides of the mating edges of these halves are cut back to define a horizontal annular groove in which the flanges 42 and 45 are clamped between the upper and lower halves of the body Registering ports 53 in the flange 42 and 46 in the flange 45 constitute a passageway between the upper and lower halves of the chamber enclosed by the body I A- plurality of cylindrical perforated sleeves 48 of varying diameter, disposed. axially of the body I and spaced radially, are suspended from the guide ring 44 and project downwardly to the bottom wallof the body lhe lower edges of the rings 48 are designed to permit fluid to flow along the bottom wall of the body i to the ports An elongated sleeve 49 formedwith a flared upper end encircles the sleeve 3 I, and is stepped outwardly at its lower end 53, encircling the ring 36-and its projecting arms 38. This lower end 58 is secured in .a recess5| formed axially of the lower section ofthe body H, and the top of the step constitutes a radial flange 52 pierced by a plurality of guide ports '53 registering with the ports l5 formed in the sump l4. thus forms an enclosure for the arms 33 of the ring 36.

A frusto-conical dispersion plate 54 is afiixed to and supported by the midsection of the sleeve 43, the plate extending radially therefrom and slopin downwardly to the inner cylindrical surface of the nearest perforated sleeve 48.

A sleeve 53 containing the field or stator of an electric motor is affixed to the interior of the upper half of the body H and encircles the rotor 35 afiixed to the sleeve 21.

A terminal plug 56 is located at any convenient point in the wall of the body H, and serves to form sealing and insulating means for inserting electric wires for connection to the electric motor. are not claimed as a part of this invention.

In operation (after making suitable connections with the condenser, receiver, and evaporator, to form. a hermetically closed system with the compressor) the system is completely evacuated of all air, moisture, and noncondensable gases, after which a suitable'dehydrated lubricating oil is added to thecompressor until the oillevel covers the lower portion of the body to dispersion plate 54.

sures reach a state of equilibrium in all parts of the system, including the compressor. Liquid refrigerant is usually added at the receiver-the remaining portions of the system contain only refrigerant vapor at the beginning-the vapor condensing to a liquid under suitable pressure and temperature conditions.

anced, the spring under the check valve forcing the check valve upwardly against its seat-the spring being just strong enough to overcome the "weight of the valve. The motor is then'started by external starting means. The serrations 39 of the ring 35 are engaged by the registering serrations 39a formed on H the lower end of the sleeve 3| thus causingthe ring 36 to'rotate with the assembly. The arms 38 of the ring 36 are inclined helically to form a I propeller which, when rotated, exerts a downward l thrust upon the. oil which engulfs the ring and projecting arm 38, the oil being drawn through The flange 52 These may be of standard manufacture and the channellingypolfts- 5.3.- ifQrced ldiownward y thr llehitheaports I; thus;creat ngahishervprcsr Sureiinthe sump ;I4 than "exists: in: .the .chamber formed ,by-the body: I I. "The;highenpressurerin the. sumpwwill causethe oil-.-; level: to; rise ;:in' the chamber I 9. As the :pressure in thesump I 4; and .theichamber; :I Q-contimies to .rise-duecto pressure exerted; by. :the [propeller-.- ithlOllgh; thenozzles 2 4:. and;picked= up by the-rap- :idly: rotating, elements, 33; and: directed :into the elongatedports 34; through; which the oi-lis forced radiallyi-bythe centrifugal effect given iteby-the rapidly. rotating elements; The :quantity of; .oil

thussdischarged byjthe .nozzles into the elongated =ports=34=willbea function'of the pressure difference; between the. sump I 4-. I and the spaces. 23. Qther variables :influence therate .of discharge J entity, Actually; the oil will absqfibsaelaigefipart of. 'theJ-refrigerant gin. either-:thenHQuidpr gaseous state; i the amount absorbed being 1a; function of the pressurezand. of the. temperature, The weight of oil absorbedwill. vary. direetlyvwith. the. :Pressure and inversely as the tempcrature;, This absorption. formsnan' important part :of this invention.

. -As .the containing a relatively-highpercentage of refrigerant vapor. emerges:.-from the nozzleszat ghigh velocity, it-will experience a suddenreduction-of pressure-in thespa-ce 23, whereupon the refrigerant contained :in the oil -wi1l?.expand' and: break .the oil up into foam. Since the foam will'occupy a larger-volume than the;,oil, it will expandradially .of .the ,-port, :34- to form, a 'movingpiston to .andtthesez-willme discussed 33113118 description 7 progresses. i

oihcentrifugallyrejected: from the. ports: 34:.is gthrowntangentiallyagainst the sloping wall: of theding and is spread-thinly and its velocity dissipated in a swirling. motion as ;it'-settles gby gravitational effect to the guide ring 44qand falls to.lthe:dispersion plate;. 54 where it is directed through the perforated sleeves 48 and settles to thel-lower portionof th o H for recycling by the propellere3. y I u It is especially emphasized that drops of- 11 discharged from the ports 34 also- .ejecta. portion of: the*refrigerant-yaporfcbhtained in "the. port.

As "rotation continues a constantly increasing pressure differential is builtiup between the chamber I9.and the space 23. ,A reduction in pressure inthespace.- 23 will likewise produce a pressure reduction in the chamber'l8 and'permit the refrigerant vapor contained in the suction pipe I2 to overcome the'check valve 25 and flow into the chamber I8, through the ports 22, into the space 23, and into the rotating'ports 34 where it is ejected into the interior of the body I I by the slugs of oil beingdischarged from the ports 34.

. The oil and refrigerant vapor now pass over the dispersion plate 54, through the perforated sleeves 48, the oil settling to the lower portion of the body II while the refrigerant vapor continues through the remainder of the perforated sleeves 48, where oil particles are scrubbed out, the vapor then rising and passing through the ports46 and 43 to the upper section of the body I I and out through the discharge pipe I I3 to the condenser (not shown). I

Additional vapor drawnin through the suction pipe I2 and discharged into the interior of the body II will produce a still higher pressure differential between. the chamber I9 and the space 23, thus producing a higher velocity and greater discharge of oil from the nozzles 24. Once the pressure difference is established the propeller 38 el'ectggas vapor outwardly; through the port= 34 ahead of'the. slu of oil foam. 'The: number: of ports 34 5 should be; greater than the *number; of nozzles 24 in order. to trapa relativelyzlargewvole ume of vapor in the ports 34 between the pistons of foam. .ThBsIlOZZlGS. should; be designed to .uti-

lize ,gthewxpansive .property of: the refrigerant vapor containedintthe oil to obtain the maximum spouting velocity, =thexoil. This -willzincreasc the; pressure .inztheqbody I I; and reflect amincreased efficiency of .thexmachine. :Theiamount of oil discharged-from the nozzles shouldzlbe limited by the pressure desired in the body I I. Over.- allefficiency of the machine would-require a'minimum of oil to bedischarged at; a maximum V6106.-

ity.' Now since the velocity; will :be. a function. of .the pressureit is pointed:;out that. the; exciter pump :38 canbe designed to giveianydesiredpressure in the. sump: I4. regardless;of the pressure in the body I I'. The exciter pump in this casewould function .as an auxiliary .to. normal i operation to eifectaa higher pressure in the sump, or system.

.--.Since .a portion pf the heat of; compression. of the vapor :intheports .34 will be. absorbedcbythe. oil foam a. reduction of:compressiontemperature and pressure will be effected. This-in turn vvill effect an economy in the work of compression by dissipation of heat by the circulating oil, Ex-

ternal cooling of the oil will increase the effi ciency of the system. This may be accomplished by simple means without departing from this invention, as follows: I

An inner partition 62 is formed in the sump I4,

thus sealing the sump I4 and the lower passagebody I I. An outlet port 63 is formed in the outer wall of the sump I4, and an inlet port 64 formed in the bottom wall of the sump I4 within the confines of the inner partition. The outlet port and inlet port are connected to an external cooler, whereby the pump will force oil through the cooler, and return it to the sump and chamber I9 as before. maintained as before-neglecting the frictional losses produced by the cooler. This modification is shown in Figure 9 of the attached drawings.

While a particular preferred embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as may fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention. For ex ample-the exciter pump has been shown as an axial fiow pump. However, a radial flow pump could be used with slight modifications.

oil}. under'relatively. high pressureand The same pressure difference will be WhatIclaimisz A I 1. A fluid compressor comprising"a vertical cylindrical casing enclosing a pressure chamber, upper and lower cylindrical chambers located within'and along the central axis of said casing,

a fluid inlet from outside said casing to said upper chamber, at least one lower-passage and a plurality of radially spaced upper passagesconnecting' said lower chamber and said pressure chamber, nozzles constituting restrictions in said upper passages, liquid in said lower chamber, orifices radially spaced about the bottom'of said upper chamber communicating with said'pressure chamber and said upper passages outwardly of said nozzles, a sleeve mounted for rotation about said upper and lower chambers, vanes at the lower end of said sleeve constituting a propeller for forcing liquid from said pressure chamber into said lower chamber, ducts radiating spirally from said sleeve opposite said adjacent orifices and nozzles, and means for rotating said sleeve, ducts and propeller.

2. A fluid compressor as claimed in claim 1 in which said casing carries a frusto-conical upwardly converging diverter' ring encircling the outer ends of said radiating ducts, a downwardly converging guide ring immediately therebelow and a plurality of perforated sleeves coaxial with said casing extending downward from said guide ring.

1 3. A compressor as claimed in claim 2 in which said casing carries a substantially solid protective sleeve encircling the propeller carrying sleeve, and said protective sleeve carries a dispersion plate extending downwardly and outwardly to the nearest perforated sleeve, intermediate of its height.

4. A compressor as claimed in claim 1 in which said propeller is mounted on a separate ring rotatable about said lower cylindrical chamber and carries on its top serrations separably engaging corresponding serrations on the bottom of said sleeve.

. 5'. A fluid compressor comprising a casing enclosing a pressure chamber, an inlet orifice in s'a'id casing for admitting fluid to be compressedto the chamber, an outlet orifice in said casing, asump at the bottom of said casing, a liquid in said sump, a wall within said'casing separating said pressure chamber' and said sump, said wall having a vertical cylindrical portion located centrally of said casing, a lower passage in said wall and a propeller in said lower passage, at least one upper passage in thevcylindrical portion of said wall and a nozzle in said upper passaga'conduit means connecting said inlet and said upper passage, a rotatable sleeve encircling the cylindrical portion of said wall, spirally radiating ducts carried by said sleeve and registering vertically with said upper passage, and means for rotating said sleeve, ducts and propeller so as to circulate said liquid between said pressure chamber and sump and thence through said upper passage and radiating ducts whereby liquidejected from said nozzle serves to draw fluid through said conduit and inlet orifice into said pressure chamber.- 7

ARTHUR C. LAYTON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,110,696 Kittredge Sept. 15, 1914 1,312,588 Skidmore Aug. 13, 1919 1,361,190 Skidmore Dec. 7, 1920 1,566,296 Whitcomb Dec. 22, 1925 2,035,786 Bradley Mar. 31, 1936 2,073,771 Wilson Mar. 16, 1937 2,241,460 Huntley May 13, 1941 2,296,122 Squassoni Sept. 15, 1942 2,319,228 Harrington May 18, .1943

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 655,951 France Dec. 22, 1928 

